Engineered proteases for affinity purification and processing of fusion proteins

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to the identification of a protease prodomain that is capable of binding a corresponding protease with high affinity. The protease prodomain of the present invention is fused to a second protein to form a protease prodomain fusion protein. The presence of a protease prodomain protein in a fusion protein allows for easy and selective purification of the second protein by incubation with the corresponding protease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to purification methods, and more particularly, to a fusion protein comprising a target protein and a protease prodomain protein wherein the prodomain protein has high affinity for binding with a corresponding protease or variant thereof to provide a protease binding complex for subsequent recovery of the target protein.

2. Description of Related Art

Recombinant DNA techniques have facilitated the expression of proteins for diverse applications in medicine and biotechnology. However, the purification of recombinant proteins is often complicated and problematic. The large-scale, economic purification of proteins generally includes producing proteins by cell culture, such as bacterial cell lines engineered to produce the protein of interest by insertion of a recombinant plasmid containing the gene for that protein. Separation of the desired protein from the mixture of compounds fed to the cells and from the by-products of the cells themselves to a purity sufficient for use as a human therapeutic poses a formidable challenge.

Procedures for purification of proteins from cell debris initially depend on the site of expression of the protein. Some proteins can be caused to be secreted directly from the cell into the surrounding growth media; others are made intracellularly. For the latter proteins, the first step of a purification process involves lysis of the cell, which can be done by a variety of methods, including mechanical shear, osmotic shock, or enzymatic treatments. Such disruption releases the entire contents of the cell into the homogenate, and in addition produces subcellular fragments that are difficult to remove due to their small size. These are generally removed by differential centrifugation or by filtration. The same problem arises, although on a smaller scale, with directly secreted proteins due to the natural death of cells and release of intracellular host cell proteins in the course of the protein production run.

Once a clarified solution containing the protein of interest has been obtained, its separation from the other proteins produced by the cell is usually attempted using a combination of different techniques. As part of the overall recovery process for the protein, the protein may be exposed to an immobilized reagent, which binds to the protein.

Proteomics initiatives of the post genomic era have greatly increased the demand for rapid, effective and standardized procedures for the purification and analysis of proteins. For example, recombinant proteins are frequently fused with other proteins or peptides to facilitate purification. The fused domain serves as a temporary hook for affinity purification and ultimately must be cleaved off by site-specific proteolysis. A number of fusion protein systems using different carrier proteins are now commercially available, particularly for E. coli expression. Examples include maltose binding protein, glutathione S-transferase, biotin carboxyl carrier protein, thioredoxin and cellulose binding domain.

Fusion protein expression simplifies the separation of recombinant protein from cell extracts by affinity chromatography using an immobilized, moderate-affinity ligand specific to the carrier protein. However, typically, immobilization requires the covalent attachment of the ligand to the matrix resulting, in many cases, in loss of activity. A typical example of a widely used product is Protein A-Sepharose. This highly expensive product is used for the purification of IgG by affinity chromatography, as well as for many diagnostic protocols.

Thus, more economical and technically simple methods for purification of soluble proteins, which do not involve scale-up of chromatographic procedures, are therefore desirable.

The function of proteases range from broad specificity, degradative enzymes to highly sequence specific enzymes that regulate physiological processes from embryonic development to cell death. Some high specificity proteases have been recruited from nature to serve as tools for the purification and analysis of proteins in a manner somewhat analogous to use of restriction endonucleases to manipulate DNA. The specific processing enzymes currently available are from mammalian sources, such as thrombin, factor Xa and Enteropeptidase. However, although widely used in protein work these natural enzymes are very expensive and of low stability limiting their usefulness for many applications.

Considerable effort has been devoted to engineering robust, bacterial proteases, such as subtilisin, to cleave defined sequences. Subtilisin is a serine protease produced by Gram-positive bacteria or by fungi. Subtilisins are important industrial enzymes as well as models for understanding the enormous rate enhancements affected by enzymes. The amino acid sequences of numerous subtilisins are known and include subtilisins from Bacillus strains, for example, subtilisin BPN′, subtilisin Carlsberg, subtilisin DY, subtilisin amylosacchariticus, and mesenticopeptidase. For these reasons along with the timely cloning of the gene, ease of expression and purification and availability of atomic resolution structures, subtilisin became a model system for protein engineering studies in the 1980's. Fifteen years later, mutations in well over 50% of the 275 amino acids of subtilisin have been reported in the scientific literature. Most subtilisin engineering has involved catalytic amino acids, substrate binding regions and stabilizing mutations. The most mutagenized subtilisins [1,2] are those secreted from the Bacillus species amyloliquefaciens (BPN′), subtilis (subtilisin E) and lentus (Savinase).

In spite of the intense activity in protein engineering of subtilisin it previously has not been possible to transform it from a protease with broad substrate preferences into an enzyme suitable for processing specific substrates thereby rendering it useful for protein recovery systems. Thus, it would be extremely useful for research and protein purification to be able to use low specificity proteases such as subtilisin for purification processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the discovery that subtilisin and variants thereof are useful in the purification of proteins when used with a substrate sequence of high affinity for the protease, wherein the substrate sequence is preferably the prodomain of subtilisin. Also, disclosed is the construction of an expression system for the production of a fusion protein comprising the prodomain of subtilisin and a second protein of interest.

Secreted proteases, such as subtilisin, are synthesized as inactive zymogen precursors in order to tightly regulate the timing of protease activation [159]. Frequently, the zymogen precursor consists of N-terminal amino acids attached to the mature protease sequence. A number of these N-terminal extensions (prodomains) are large enough to fold independently and have been shown to bind tightly to the active site of the mature protease[149,160-166].

Subtilisin BPN is an extracellular serine proteinase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens having a primary translation product which is a pre-pro-protein [9,10]. A 30 amino acid pre-sequence (SEQ ID NO. 2) serves as a signal peptide for protein secretion across the membrane and is hydrolyzed by a signal peptidase [167]. The extracellular part of the maturation process involves folding of prosubtilisin, self-processing of a 77 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO. 1), to produce a processed complex and finally degradation of the prodomain to create the 275 amino acid (SEQ ID NO. 3) mature SBT sequence. The 77 amino acid prodomain is removed autocatalytically and it has been suggested that the prodomain delays the activation of subtilisin until after secretion from Bacillus [168] because the prodomain is a competitive inhibitor of the active subtilisin (K_(i) of 5.4×10⁻⁷ M) exhibiting a strong inhibition of the activity of the subtilisin.

Subtilisin's broad preferences result from the manner in which it binds to protein substrates. Most subtilisin contacts are with the first four amino acids on the acyl side of the scissile bond located in the substrate structure. These residues are denoted P1 through P4, numbering from the scissile bond toward the N-terminus of the substrate [157]. The side chain components of substrate binding result primarily from the P1 and P4 amino acids [193] [46,47]. Subtilisin prefers hydrophobic amino acids at these positions. A high resolution structure of a complex between subtilisin and prodomain shows that the C-terminal portion of the prodomain binds as a substrate into the subtilisin active site and that the globular part of the prodomain has an extensive complementary surface to subtilisin. The C-terminal residues extend out from the central part of the prodomain and bind in a substrate-like manner along SBT's active site cleft. Thus, residues Y77, A76, H75 and A74 of the prodomain act as P1 to P4 substrate amino acids, respectively. These residues conform to subtilisin's natural sequence preferences. The folded prodomain has shape complementary and high affinity to native subtilisin mediated by both the substrate interactions of the C-terminal tail and a hydrophobic interface provided by the β-sheet [133].

Likewise, sequencing of the gene for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) revealed that ALP is also synthesized as a pro-enzyme. In ALP, the prodomain (166 amino acids) is almost as large as the mature protease (198 amino acids). Further, it was demonstrated that the ALP prodomain is required to produce active ALP in vivo and that the 166 amino acid prodomain was a strong competitive inhibitor of ALP [170]. Interestingly, structure analysis of the ALP with its prodomain revealed an affinity binding of the prodomain to the active site of ALP [187].

Other examples of prodomain mediated. folding have been found in all four mechanistic families of proteases: serine proteases [172-177]; Aspartic proteases [178-180); metalloproteases [181-185] and cysteine proteases [186].

Thus, in one aspect the present invention relates to protein purification processes using a prodomain protein linked to a target protein wherein the prodomain protein has a high affinity for the normally associated protease thereby providing for easy separation of the target protein from the prodomain. Preferably, the present invention relates to the prodomain of secreted proteases such as subtilisin or variants thereof, wherein the prodomain has a high affinity for the subtilisin or variants thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a protease prodomain fused to target protein, wherein cleavage is directed specifically to the peptide bond joining the prodomain and the target protein and wherein the prodomain has a high affinity binding for the corresponding protease. Preferably, the protease is subtilisin or a variant thereof, wherein the variant is modified to specifically hydrolyze the peptide bond between the protease prodomain and a target protein and/or whose hydrolytic activity may be triggered by specific ions. Additionally, the prodomain protein may be optimized by including cognate sequences for the protease.

In yet another aspect, the present invention comprises a prodomain protein of amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO. 1 fused to a protein of interest. Further the prodomain sequence may comprise substitutions in at least the P1-P4 amino acid residues including the following: Prodomain P4 P3 P2 P1 Wild-type A H A Y Substitutions F or Y any A or S M, Y, F, H or L

Several cognate sequences have been found to be highly effective including FKAM, FKAY or FKAF. Surprising the addition of the sequences FKAM, FKAY or FKAF also increase the affinity of the prodomain to the subtilisin to >10⁹·M⁻¹.

Additionally, the subtilisin prodomain may further include stabilizing mutations to further increase its affinity for subtilisin. Still further, mutations may be incorporated into one or more of the four catalytic amino acids of subtilisin to drastically reduce its proteolysis of non-specific amino acid sequences. Preferred mutations are included at amino acid positions 32, 64, 155 and 221 of the subtilisin sequence identified as SEQ ID NO. 3 and shown in FIG. 2.

Thus, in another aspect, the present invention provide for a processing protease having a K_(m) for a cognate sequence in the prodomain that is <1 nm. The k_(cat) of a processing protease is in the range of 10⁻¹ sec⁻¹ to 10⁻⁵ sec⁻¹. Thus the turnover number (k_(cat)/K_(m)) for the processing protease and its cognate prodomain substrate is in the range of 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ to 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ while turnover number vs. a non-specific sequence is <1 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ .

A preferred processing enzyme would prefer its cognate prodomain by >10⁶ fold over a non-specific sequence. The most preferred embodiments of the invention are processing subtilisins that have k_(cat) values in the range of 0.001 to 0.0001 s⁻¹. Subtilisins that cleave in this time range process the substrate slowly enough to allow affinity purification of any protein containing the cognate prodomain as an N-terminal fusion domain.

In another aspect the present invention provides for a fusion protein comprising a target protein linked to a domain, wherein the domain protein includes amino acid residues on the C-terminal comprising a variant of (E E D K L (F/Y) Q S (M/L/Y), wherein the C-terminal part of the domain causes an affinity for subtilisin or variants thereof.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides for a method of generating a subtilisin prodomain fusion product. An exemplary procedure comprises the following steps:

-   -   providing nucleic acid encoding the subtilisin prodomain fusion         protein wherein the fusion protein comprises a prodomain of         subtilisin or variant thereof and a second protein of interest,         the prodomain being capable of binding subtilisin or variant         thereof with high affinity;     -   transfecting a host cell with the nucleic acid or using an         equivalent means for introducing the nucleic acid into the host         cell; and     -   culturing the transformed host cell under conditions suitable         for expression of the fusion protein.

The subject fusion protein will generally be produced by recombinant methods, in particular and preferably by expression of a subtilisin prodomain/second protein DNA wherein the DNA will be expressed in microbial host cells, in particular Bacillus subtilis, because this bacteria naturally produces subtilisin, is an efficient secretor of proteins, and is able to produce the prodomain protein in an active conformation. However, the invention is not restricted to the expression of the fusion protein in Bacillus, but rather embraces expression in any host cell that provides for expression of the fusion protein. Suitable host cells for expression are well known in the art and include, e.g., bacterial host cells such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus, Salmonella, Pseudomonas; yeast cells such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, Kluveromyces, Candida, Schizosaccharomyces; and mammalian host cells such as CHO cells. Bacterial host cells, however, are the preferred host cells for expression.

Expression of the DNA encoding the subtilisin prodomain/second protein fusion protein may use available vectors and regulatory sequences. The actual selection will depend in a large part upon the particular host cells that are utilized for expression. For example, if the fusion protein is expressed in Bacillus, a Bacillus promoter will generally be utilized as well as a Bacillus derived vector. Expression of the fusion protein in microbial host cells will generally be preferred since this will allow for the microbial host cell to produce the subtilisin prodomain in a proper conformation.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for purifying a protein of interest from a fusion protein and separation therefrom, the method comprising:

-   -   contacting a fusion protein comprising a prodomain protein         linked to the protein of interest with an effective amount of         subtilisin or variant thereof under conditions suitable for the         formation of a binding complex between the subtilisin or variant         thereof and the prodomain protein of the fusion protein;     -   incubating the binding complex for a sufficient time for the         subtilisin or variant thereof to cleave the protein of interest         from the binding complex; and     -   recovering the protein of interest

Preferably, the protease has been modified to specifically bind to the protease prodomain fusion protein and the protease prodomain protein has been modified to included cognate sequences of the protease for autocatalytic removal of the second protein from the binding complex. More preferably, the protease is subtilisin or a variant thereof and the prodomain has a high binding affinity for such protease.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein comprising a protease prodomain protein and a second target protein including a cleavage site positioned therebetween. Preferably, the cleavage site is upstream of the N-terminal amino acid of the second protein of the fusion product. More preferably, the cleavage site is downstream from the P4-P1 amino acid residues.

Another aspect of the present invention provides for a host cell comprised of nucleic acid encoding a protease prodomain fusion protein of the present invention.

An additional aspect of the present invention relates to a diagnostic kit for the detection of a substance of interest comprising:

-   -   (a) a protease prodomain fusion protein comprising:         -   (i) a protease prodomain capable of binding to a subtilisin             or variant thereof with high affinity; and         -   (ii) a second protein capable of binding a substance of             interest;     -   (b) a detectable label; and     -   (c) a subtilisin or variant thereof for binding to the protease,         prodomain fusion protein.

Preferably, the prodomain is a subtilisin prodomain and the second protein may include, but is not limited to an enzyme, hormone, antigen, or antibody.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to an assay method for using the above described diagnostic kit for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in a test sample comprising:

-   -   (a) incubating a test sample, which may contain a substance of         interest, with a sufficient amount of a protease prodomain         fusion protein, wherein the protease prodomain fusion protein         comprises:         -   (i) a protease prodomain capable of binding with high             affinity to a subtilisin or variant thereof, and         -   (ii) a second protein capable of binding the substance of             interest, wherein the incubating conditions permit the             binding of the substance of interest to the second protein;     -   (b) contacting the protease prodomain fusion protein used in         step (a) to subtilisin or a variant thereof, wherein the         subtilisin or a variant thereof is in solution in an amount         effective to bind the fusion protein and form a binding complex         or immobilized on a solid phase to form a subtilisin/prodomain         fusion protein binding complex;     -   (c) incubating the subtilisin/prodomain fusion protein binding         complex for a sufficient time for autocatalytic cleavage of the         second protein from the binding complex;     -   (d) recovering the second protein bound to the substance of         interest.

This embodiment further provides for introducing a detectable label wherein the label is capable of binding to the substance of interest; and determining the presence or absence of the label, to provide an indication of the presence or absence of the substance of interest in the test sample. The detectable label may be introduced either before separation of the second protein from the binding complex or after the second protein is recovered.

The test sample may be a bodily fluid, including, but not limited to, blood, urine, semen, saliva, mucus, tears, vaginal secretions, and the like.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the method is designed for the detection of a specific protein or peptide in a testing sample, thus, the second protein of the prodomain subtilisin fusion protein may be an antibody against the specific protein or peptide in the testing sample. The antibody may be a monoclonal antibody or a polyclonal antibody. The subtilisin prodomain of the present invention may be conjugated to the antibody either directly or through a linker moiety.

The substance of interest may also comprise a biotinylated probe bound to a protein, peptide, hormone, nucleic acid or other probe-targetable molecule. The label may include an enzyme, that upon adding a sufficient amount of a substrate for the enzyme, the substrate is converted by the enzyme to a detectable compound.

Finally, it is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a drug delivery system comprising a subtilisin prodomain protein associated with a therapeutic compound or drug of interest to form a fusion product, wherein the fusion product is further complexed to a subtilisin or variant thereof to form a drug delivery complex. In such a drug delivery system, the drug of interest may be conjugated to the subtilisin prodomain either directly or through a linker moiety. Many methods of conjugation exist and are known in the art. For example, acyl activation agents exist, such as cyclohexylcarbodiimide, which can be used to form amide or ester bonds.

In one embodiment such a drug delivery system can be a slow or sustained drug delivery system wherein the drug of interest is slowly released from the subtilisin prodomain bound to subtilisin. It is contemplated that such a drug delivery system can be incorporated into a composition that can be administered parenterally, orally, topically or by inhalation. Furthermore, the composition may be in the form of a solid, gel, liquid or aerosol.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a ribbon drawing depicting the α-carbon backbone of subtilisin in complex with its prodomain.

FIG. 2 shows the amino acid sequence of Subtilisin BPN′ wild type.

FIG. 3 shows Table 1 setting forth mutations introduced to subtilisin 'BPN.

FIG. 4 shows the rate of protease processing proportional to the concentration of ions.

FIG. 5 shows that the rate of binding of processing subtilisin (S189) to the prodomain is rapid.

FIG. 6 shows that S189 cleaves with a half-time of about four hours. A lag phase is evident. This lag is useful for protein purification to allow contaminants to be washed away before significant cleavage has occurred.

FIG. 7 shows the results of purification of a fusion protein comprising pr8FKAM-Protein G with immobilized substrate subtilisin S189 or 190 wherein the blot lanes are assigned as follows:

-   -   Lane 1: Molecular weight standards—2 μg band     -   Lane 2: cell lysate—10 μl of 10 ml from 250 ml culture of 671         pr8FKAM-Protein G     -   Lane 3: flow through from S189 AL loaded at 1 ml/min (10 μl         fraction 2)     -   Lane 4: flow through from S190 AL loaded at 1 ml/min (10 μl         fraction 2)     -   Lane 5: elution from S189 AL after 15 hours (10 μl fraction 2, 8         μg of protein G)     -   Lane 6: elution from S190 AL after 15 hours (10 μl fraction, 4.8         μg of protein G)     -   Lane 7: strip from S189 AL (10 μl fraction 7, 3 μg pR8FKAM)     -   Lane 8: strip from S190 AL (10 μl fraction 7, 9μg pR8 FKAM)     -   Lane 9: strip from S189 AL after ˜10 minutes (10 μl fraction 6,         6.4 μg 671 FKAM)     -   Lane 10: G_(B) standard

FIG. 8 shows purification results of α-subunit bovine transducin wherein the blot lanes are assigned as follows:

-   -   Lane 1: cell lysate—10 μl of 10 ml from 250 ml culture of 671         pr8FKAM-ChiT     -   Lanes 2-3: Column wash     -   Lanes 4-9: elution from S189 AL after 15 hours     -   Lane 10: pooled fractions

FIG. 9 shows purification results of M. Thermautotrophicus CDC6 wherein the blot lanes are assigned as follows:

-   -   Lane 1: Molecular weight standards—2 μg band     -   Lane 2: cell lysate—10 μl of 50 ml from 750 ml culture of         pr8FKAM-CDC6     -   Lane 3: flow through from S189 AL_(—)10 column loaded at 10         ml/min     -   Lanes 4-8: elution from S189 AL after 15 hours (10 μl fractions         2-6.

FIGS. 10A and B shows the ¹⁵N HSQC spectra of (a) protein G311 and (b) protein A219 annotated with residue specific backbone assignments. The two proteins are 59% identical in sequence but represent different protein folds by NMR.

FIG. 11 shows the results of separation process of 56 amino acid G_(B) from 671 fusion protein (pR⁵⁸FKAM-G_(B)) on S189HiTrap NHS column when the fusion protein is bound and washed as in the normal procedure.

FIG. 12 shows the results when the release of the target protein is triggered by the addition of fluoride ions that decreases the time required for purification of the target protein.

FIG. 13 shows the results when the prodomain (pR58) is stripped from the column in 0.1 M H₃PO₄ as in the normal procedure.

FIG. 14 shows purification results of Streptococcal protein G_(B) when triggered by the addition of KF, wherein the blot lanes are assigned as follows:

-   -   Lane 1: Molecular weight standards—2 μg band     -   Lane 2: BL21 DE3 cell lysate—10μl of 50 ml from 1 L culture of         671 (pR58FKAM-G_(B))     -   Injected 1 ml of lysate on S189HT1 column:     -   Lane 3: flow through loaded at 1 ml/min (10 μl of 2 ml fraction         2)     -   Lane 4: flow through loaded at 1 ml/min (10 μl of 2 ml fraction         3)     -   Lane 5: cleavage/elution by 0.1M KF. (10 μl of 1 ml fraction 1;         ˜7 μg total)     -   Lane 6: cleavage/elution by 0.1 M KF. (10 μl of 1 ml fraction 2;         ˜3 μg total)     -   Lane 7: strip by 0.1 M H₃PO₄ (10 μl of 1 ml fraction 1; ˜10 μg         total in both bands combined).         Notes:     -   1) Coomassie staining of G_(B) is much weaker than for the pR58         fusion domain. Protein concentration was determined by A₂₈₀     -   2) Cleavage reaction was ˜90% complete using this         cleavage/elution protocol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a prodomain comprising an optimized cognate sequence for binding to a highly specific processing subtilisin protease, wherein the pair has particular utility for protein purification.

The isolated subtilisin prodomain is unfolded but assumes a compact structure with a four-stranded anti parallel β-sheet and two three-turn α-helices in complex with subtilisin [130,133] (FIG. 1). The C-terminal residues extend out from the central part of the prodomain and bind in a substrate-like manner along SBT's active site cleft. Residues Y77, A76, H75 and A74 of the prodomain become P1 to P4 substrate amino acids, respectively. These residues conform to subtilisin's natural sequence preferences. The folded prodomain has shape complementary and high affinity to native subtilisin mediated by both the substrate interactions of the C-terminal tail and a hydrophobic interface provided by the β-sheet [133]. The native tertiary structure of the prodomain is required for maximal binding to subtilisin. If mutations are introduced in regions of the prodomain, which do not directly contact subtilisin, their effects on binding to subtilisin are linked to whether or not they stabilize the native conformation. Therefore mutations which stabilize independent folding of the prodomain increase its binding affinity [137].

As used herein, the term “mutation” refers to an alteration in a gene sequence and/or an amino acid sequence produced by those gene sequences. Mutations include deletions, substitutions, and additions of amino acid residues to the wild-type protein sequence.

As used herein, the term “wild-type” refers to a protein, herein specifically a protease or prodomain, produced by unmutated organisms. Wild-type subtilisin-lilce proteases are produced by, for example, Bacillus alcalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus amylosaccharicus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus lentus, and Bacillus subtilis microorganisms.

The term “variant” as used herein is defined as a protein in which the amino acid sequence, or other feature of a naturally occurring molecule has been modified and is intended to include mutants. Some of the variants falling within this invention possess amino acid substitutions deletions, and/or insertions provided that the final construct possesses the desired binding affinity between the protease prodomain and the corresponding protease. Amino acid substitutions in the either the protease prodomain protein or the corresponding protease may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues involved. For example, negatively charged amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid; positively charged amino acids include lysine and arginine; amino acids with uncharged polar head groups or nonpolar head groups having similar hydrophilicity values include the following: leucine, isoleucine, valine; glycine, alanine; asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine; phenylalanine, tyrosine. Also included within the definition of variant are those proteins having additional amino acids at one or more sites of the C-terminal, N-terminal, as long as the variant retains the binding affinity.

The variants of the present invention may include subtilisin-like proteases. As used herein, the term “subtilisin-like protease” means a protease which has at least 25%, and preferably 80%, and more preferably 90% amino acid sequence identity with the sequences of subtilisin and maintaining at least the same functional activity of the wild-type protease.

The present invention is directed to the identification of a protease prodomain that is capable of binding a corresponding protease with high affinity. The protease prodomain of the present invention is fused to a second protein to form a protease prodomain fusion protein. The presence of a protease prodomain protein in a fusion protein allows for easy and selective purification of the second protein by incubation with the corresponding protease.

Examples of a second protein include, but are not limited to protein A, including staphylococcal Protein A_(B) domain and Protein A_(B) mutant A219; protein G including Streptococcal protein G_(B) domain, Streptococcal protein G_(a) domain and Protein G_(B) mutant G311; E. coli hypothetical Yab; Bovine a-subunit of transducin; M. thermautotrophicus CDC6; streptavidin; avidin; Taq polymerase and other polymerases; alkaline phosphatase; RNase; DNase; various restriction enzymes; peroxidases; glucanases such as endo-1,4-beta glucanase, endo-1,3-beta-glucanase; chitinases, and others; beta and alfa glucosidases; beta and alpha glucoronidases; amylase; transferases such as glucosyl-transferases, phospho-transferases, chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase; beta-lactamase and other antibiotic modifying and degrading enzymes; luciferase; esterases; lipases; proteases; bacteriocines; antibiotics; enzyme inhibitors; different growth factors; hormones; receptors; membranal proteins; nuclear proteins; transcriptional and translational factors and nucleic acid modifying enzymes.

The term “protease prodomain protein” refers to prodomain amino acid sequence or functional equivalent thereof wherein the protease prodomain protein possesses the capability of binding to a corresponding protease with high affinity. Preferably, the prodomain is substantially free of other proteins with which it is naturally associated, for instance, the balance of the protease protein. In addition, one or more predetermined amino acid residues in the prodomain may be substituted, inserted, or deleted, for example, to produce a prodomain protein having improved biological properties, or to vary binding and expression levels. Through the use of recombinant DNA technology, the prodomain proteins of the present invention having residue deletions, substitutions and/or insertions may be prepared by altering the underlying nucleic acid.

In one embodiment the protease prodomain protein may be fused to an antibody or an antigenic determinant as a second protein to form a protease prodomain fusion protein that is useful in diagnostic kits and in immunoassays. Thus, for example, bodily fluids can be tested for the presence of particular antibodies by making use of a protease prodomain and an antigenic epitope as a second protein fused to the protease prodomain protein. Conversely, an antigen or antigenic portions thereof can be detected using a protease prodomain and antibody fusion protein.

The term “fusion protein” as used herein refers to the joining together of at least two proteins, a prodomain protein, preferably being a protease prodomain and a second protein. Additionally, the fusion product of the present invention comprises an enzymatic cleavage site positioned between the protease prodomain and the second protein. The cleavage site if preferably adjacent to the N-terminus of the second protein thereby providing a means for recovering the second protein from the fusion product.

In another embodiment of the invention, the fusion protein is a recombinant fusion product. A “recombinant fusion product” is one that has been produced in a host cell that has been transformed or transfected with nucleic acid encoding the fusion product, or produces the fusion protein as a result of homologous recombination. “Transformation” and “transfection” are used interchangeably to refer to the process of introducing nucleic acid into a cell. Following transformation or transfection, the nucleic acid may integrate into the host cell genome, or may exist as an extrachromosomal element. The “host cell” includes a cell in in vitro cell culture as well as a cell within a host organism.

“Nucleic acid” refers to a nucleotide sequence comprising a series of nucleic acids in a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage that may be either an RNA or a DNA sequence. If the nucleic acid is DNA, the nucleotide sequence is either single or double stranded. The prodomain protease protein encoding nucleic acid is RNA or DNA that encodes a protein capable of binding the corresponding protease with high affinity, is complementary to nucleic acid sequence encoding such protein, or hybridizes to nucleic acid sequence encoding such protein and remains stably bound to it under stringent conditions.

In constructing the fusion protein expression vector, the nucleic acid encoding the prodomain will be linked or joined to the nucleic acid encoding the second protein such that the open reading frame of the protease prodomain protein and the second protein is intact, allowing translation of the fusion protein product to occur.

The nucleic acid encoding the prodomain protein of the present invention may be obtained from isolated and purified DNA from cell sources or by genomic cloning. Either cDNA or genomic libraries of clones may be prepared using techniques well known in the art and may be screened for particular protease or protease prodomain encoding nucleic acid with nucleotide probes that are substantially complementary to any portion of the gene. Alternatively, cDNA or genomic DNA may be used as templates for PCR cloning with suitable oligonucleotide primers. Full length clones, i.e., those containing the entire coding region of the desired protease prodomain protein may be selected for constructing expression vectors, or overlapping cDNAs can be ligated together to form a complete coding sequence. Alternatively, a preferred protease prodomain encoding DNA may be synthesized in whole or in part by chemical synthesis using techniques deemed to be standard in the art.

Methods for recombinant production of polypeptides are well known to those skilled in the art. Briefly, for example, host cells are transfected with a polynucleotide that encodes for a protease prodomain protein linked to a second protein of choice. Means of transforming or transfecting cells with exogenous polynucleotide such as DNA molecules are well known in the art and include techniques such as calcium-phosphate- or DEAE-dextran mediated transfection, protoplast fusion, electroporation, liposome mediated transfection, direct microinjection and adenovirus infection.

The most widely used method is transfection mediated by either calcium phosphate or DEAE-dextran. Although the mechanism remains obscure, it is believed that the transfected DNA enters the cytoplasm of the cell by endocytosis and is transported to the nucleus. Depending on the cell type, up to 90% of a population of cultured cells can be transfected at any one time. Because of its high efficiency, transfection mediated by calcium phosphate or DEAE-dextran is the method of choice for experiments that require transient expression of the foreign DNA in large numbers of cells. Calcium phosphate-mediated transfection is also used to establish cell lines that integrate copies of the foreign DNA, which are usually arranged in head-to-tail tandem arrays into the host cell genome.

The application of brief, high-voltage electric pulses to a variety of mammalian and plant cells leads to the formation of nanometer-sized pores in the plasma membrane. DNA is taken directly into the cell cytoplasm either through these pores or as a consequence of the redistribution of membrane components that accompanies closure of the pores. Electroporation can be extremely efficient and can be used both for transient expression of cloned genes and for establishment of cell lines that carry integrated copies of the gene of interest. Electroporation, in contrast to calcium phosphate-mediated transfection and protoplast fusion, frequently gives rise to cell lines that carry one, or at most a few, integrated copies of the foreign DNA.

Following transfection, the cell is maintained under culture conditions for a period of time sufficient for expression of the fusion protein of the present invention. Culture conditions are well known in the art and include ionic composition and concentration, temperature, pH and the like. Typically, transfected cells are maintained under culture conditions in a culture medium. Suitable medium for various cell types are well known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, temperature is from about 20° C. to about 50° C. pH is preferably from about a value of 6.0 to a value of about 8.0. Other biological conditions needed for transfection and expression of an encoded protein are well known in the art.

Transfected cells are maintained for a period of time sufficient for expression of the fusion protein and typically, maintenance time is from about 2 to about 14 days. When using recombinant techniques, the fusion protein can be produced intracellularly, in the periplasmic space, or directly secreted into the medium. If the polypeptide is produced intracellularly, as a first step, the particulate debris, either host cells or lysed cells (e.g. resulting from homogenization), is removed, for example, by centrifugation or ultrafiltration.

To direct a protease prodomain fusion protein of the present invention into the secretory pathway of the host cells, a secretory signal sequence (also known as a leader sequence or pre sequence) is usually required. In the present invention the prodomain sequence of the protease is part of the fusion protein and thus secretion of the fusion protein is easily effected by including a signal sequence such as that defined in SEQ ID NO. 2.

Thus, the recombinant fusion protein is recovered or collected either from the transfected cells or the medium in which those cells are cultured. The fusion protein is then subjected to one or more purification steps. In one embodiment of the invention, the recovery step involves exposing a composition comprising the fusion protein to a solid phase that has immobilized thereon subtilisin or a variant thereof that binds with the prodomain protein with high affinity to form a protease/protease prodomain binding complex. The solid phase may be packed in a column and the immobilized corresponding protease captures the fusion protein and chemically and/or physically modifies the fusion protein to release the second protein.

By “solid phase” is meant a matrix comprising a protease to which a fusion product can adhere. The solid phase may be a purification column, a discontinuous phase of discrete particles, a membrane or filter. Examples of materials for forming the solid phase include polysaccharides (such as agarose and cellulose); and other mechanically stable matrices such as silica (e.g. controlled pore glass), poly(styrenedivinyl)benzene, polyacrylamide, ceramic particles and derivatives of any of the above. In preferred embodiments, the solid phase comprises controlled pore glass beads retained in a column that is coated with a protease for binding with high affinity for the prodomain protein of the fusion protein product.

The phrase “binding with high affinity” as used herein refers to the ability of the protease prodomain to bind to the cognate protease with a Kd of nM to pM and ranging from about 10 nM to about 10 pM, preferably <100 pM.

This invention also relates to diagnostic detection of proteins of interest in test samples, especially in biological samples, such as tissue extracts or biological fluids, such as serum or urine through use of the fusion protein of the present invention. The biological samples are preferably of mammalian origin and most preferably of human origin. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein may comprise an antibody which is used to detect the presence of an antigen in biological samples using a variety of immunoassay formats well known in the art. Alternatively, the second protein of the fusion protein is comprised of an antigenic epitope useful in the detection of antibodies that recognize the antigenic determinant.

The “antibody” as used herein is meant to include polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), humanized or chimeric antibodies, single chain antibodies, anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies, and epitope-binding fragments of any of the above.

The term “detectable label” as used herein refers to any label which provides directly or indirectly a detectable signal and includes, for example, enzymes, radiolabelled molecules, fluoresors, particles, chemiluminesors, enzyme substrates or cofactors, enzyme inhibitors, magnetic particles. Examples of enzymes useful as detectable labels in the present invention include alcaline phosphatase and horse radish peroxidase. A variety of methods are available for linking the detectable labels to proteins of interest and include for example the use of a bifunctional agent, such as 4,4′-difluoro-3,3′-dinitro-phenylsulfone, for attaching an enzyme, for example, horse radish peroxidase, to a protein of interest. The attached detectable label is then allowed to react with a substrate yielding a reaction product which is detectable.

Also falling within the scope of the present invention is the therapeutic or diagnostic use of a protease prodomain fusion product wherein the second protein is a monoclonal antibody having affinity for an antigenic epitope. For example, a protease prodomain fusion product comprising (i) a protease prodomain capable of binding to a cognate protease with high affinity, and (ii) a monoclonal antibody capable of binding antigen can be used in a method to target a drug/protease complex or imaging agent/protease complex to a cancer cell producing the antigen. In this embodiment, a protease prodomain linked to a second protein (monoclonal antibody) is administered to a mammal. Either concurrently with or following the administration of the fusion product, a drug/protease or an imaging agent/protease complex is administered. Binding of the drug/protease or imaging agent/protease complex to the protease prodomain fusion product localized at the site of the antigen directs and targets the drug or imaging agent to the relevant site for the desired therapeutic or diagnostic activity.

The invention is further illustrated in the following examples, which are not intended to be in any way limiting to the scope of the invention as claimed.

Methods and Materials

Selection of Mutations, Cloning and Expression

The specific point mutations set forth in the present application identify the particular amino acids in the subtilisin BPN′ amino acid sequence, as set forth in SEQUENCE ID NO: 3 (FIG. 2), that are mutated in accordance with the present invention. For example, the S149 mutant comprises a deletion of amino acids 75-83 and additionally comprises the following substitution mutations: Q2K, S3C, P5S, S9A, I31L, K43N, M50F, A73L, E156S, G166S. G169A, S188P, Q206C, N212G, K217L, N218S, T254A and Q271E. Additional mutated variants are set forth in Table 1 as shown in FIG. 3.

The subtilisin gene from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (subtilisin BPN′) had been cloned, sequenced, and expressed at high levels from its natural promoter sequences in Bacillus subtilis [9, 10]. All mutant genes were recloned into a pUB110-based expression plasmid and used to transform B. subtilis. The B. subtilis strain used as the host contains a chromosomal deletion of its subtilisin gene and therefore produces no background wild type (wt) activity (Fahnestock et al., Appl. Environ. Microbial. 53:379-384 (1987)). Oligonucleotide mutagenesis was carried out as previously described. [17].

Wild type subtilisin and the variant enzymes were purified and verified for homogeneity essentially as described in Bryan et al., [17, 94 and 95]. In some cases the C221 mutant subtilisins were re-purified on a sulfhydryl specific mercury affinity column (Affi-gel 501, Biorad).

Cloning and Expression of the Prodomain of Subtilisin

The prodomain region of the subtilisin BPN′ gene was subcloned using the polymerase chain reaction as described in Strausberg, et al. [138]. Mutagenesis of the cloned prodomain gene was performed according to the oligonucleotide-directed in vitro mutagenesis system, version 2 (Amersham International plc)

EXAMPLE 1

To demonstrate the feasibility of prodomain-directed processing, a gene was constructed to direct the synthesis of a fusion of the pR8 prodomain onto the N-terminus of the 56 amino acid B domain (G_(B)) of streptococcal Protein G. Prodomain pR8, having the mutations at amino acid residues 16-21 (QTMST) which were replaced with SGIK creating a two amino acid deletion in pR8, wherein S replaces Q16, G replaces T17, M18I replaces S19 and T20 and “K” replaces M21; along with additional substitutions A23C, K27Q, V37L, Q40C, H72K and H75K is independently stable and binds to subtilisin with ˜100-times higher affinity than the wild type prodomain. Further, pR8 thus becomes the cognate sequence specifying the subtilisin cleavage site.

The fusion protein (1 μM) was mixed with 1 μM of wild type subtilisin. The fusion protein was rapidly and specifically cleaved to release G_(B) from pR8. From the results several relevant observations were made including that: 1) The processing is a single turnover reaction with strong product inhibition by pR8 at the end of a cycle; 2) The rate of a single cycle of cleavage is limited by the substrate binding rate (le⁶M⁻¹s⁻¹); and 3) Processing is highly specific because G_(B) is quite resistant to subtilisin activity.

EXAMPLE 2

Mutations to Decrease Subtilisin Activity Against Non-Cognate Sequences.

Using pR8 to direct cleavage in and of itself does not create a optimal processing system because of subtilisin's high activity against non-cognate sequences. The next step was to engineer subtilisin to be less active against non-cognate sequences. The starting point for engineering a processing subtilisin was a mutant denoted S149 : (Q2K, S3C, P5S, K43N, A73L, 75-83, E156S, G166S, G169A, S188P, Q206C, N212G, K217L, N218S, T254A and Q271E). S149 previously was engineered for high stability and ability to fold independently of the prodomain. These characteristics, while not essential, are highly desirable in a processing enzyme.

First, the mutations G128S and Y104A were introduced in S149 (denoted S160) to enlarge the S4 pocket [48, 51]. The catalytic properties of S149 and S160 were analyzed against two fluorogenic substrates, sDVRAF-AMC and sDFRAM-AMC, using transient state Icinetic methods. The enlarged S4 pocket in S160 coupled a pre-existing preference for M over F at the P1 position resulted in a 100-fold preference of sDFRAM-AMC (Ks=0.8 μM) over sDVRAF-AMC (Ks=83 μM). In comparison S149 prefers sDFRAM-AMC (Ks=1μM) by five fold over sDVRAF-AMC (Ks=5 μM). Thus, a modified subtilisin could be engineered to increase preference for cognate sequences.

EXAMPLE 3

A version of pR8 was constructed with its last four amino acids (AHAY) replaced with FRAM (denoted pR58). pR58 inhibits S160 with a Ki of ˜30 pM. An N-terminal fusion of pR58 onto the G_(B) domain was found to bind to S160 with a substrate affinity (Ks) in the pM range, at least 1e5-times greater than even the highly preferred pentapeptide substrate sDFRAM-AMC. Essentially the prodomain structure acts as an amplifier of the P1 and P4 sequence signals. Hydrolysis is limited to a single turn-over by strong product inhibition. Product inhibition is difficult to avoid in using high substrate affinity to direct specific cleavage because of the structural similarity between substrate and product. We therefore do not attempt to obviate this property. As will be described later, the single turn-over reaction can be exploited in applying the system to protein purification.

A modified version of S160 with S166G was also constructed (denoted S193). The mutant prefers F and Y as P4 and P1 amino acids, respectively.

The preferential binding of S160 to pR58-fusions relative to non-cognate sequences does not results in highly specific cleavage. The reason for this can be discerned by considering the following mechanism for a single catalytic cycle:

The rate of the release of product dP/dt=k₂k₁[S]/(k₁[S]+k₁+k₂).

In the reaction of sDFRAM-AMC with S160, the substrate off rate (k₁) is ˜10s⁻¹ compared to an acylation rate (k₂) of 100s⁻¹. In the reaction of pR58-G_(B), the acylation rate is similar but k⁻¹ is five orders of magnitude smaller (1×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹). The k₂ term in the denominator of the rate equation is ≧10-times larger than the k₁ term in both cases, however, Thus, k₁ has little influence on the observed rate of product formation. Substrate affinity would become increasingly important, however, if the acylation rate were slow enough that equilibrium between enzyme and substrate were approximated. Slowing k₂ was accomplished with mutations in the catalytic amino acids (D32 in S190), (S221 in S194) and the oxyanion hole amino acid (N155 in S188) (see Table 1 in FIG. 3).

Mutations in the Active Site Nucleophile S221A.

Mutation of the active site serine nucleophile in S160 creates a mutant (S194) which binds pR58 fusion proteins with 10 pM affinity. The rate of binding is rapid (˜1×10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹), but S194 cleaves the fusion protein very slowly (<100 hr⁻¹). However, the mutant is useful for affinity purification of uncleaved fusion proteins.

Mutations in the Oxyanion Hole: N155L, N155Q.

Removal of the hydrogen bond which stabilizes the oxyanion of the transition state decreases the rate of the acylation reaction (k2) by ˜1000-fold. Processing of the pR58-GB fusion protein by N155 (S188 and S191) mutants is a slow, single turn-over reaction. After the single round of cleavage pR58 remains tightly bound to the enzyme. As explained above, this reduction in k₂ creates a large degree of sequence discrimination base on differential substrate binding.

Mutations in the Asp-His Couple: Creation of an Anion Switch.

Of particular usefulness were the mutations of D32. The carboxylate of D32 hydrogen bonds to the catalytic H64 and allows it to act as first a general base and then a general acid during acylation. Mutation of the catalytic Asp in trypsin created a drastic decrease in activity around neutral pH but a strongly hydroxide dependant alternative mechanism evident above pH 10 [196,197]. The potential of creating a two stage reaction consisting of a binding step followed by a chemically-triggered cleavage step led to focus on mutations at D32. Consequently D32 was mutated to A, S, V, G, and T in S160 and S193. The sequence specificity of D32 mutants is extremely high with kcat/Km 10 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ vs. sFRAM-AMC. The high specificity was also manifested by their inability to process pR8-G_(B) and also their inability to autoprocess in vivo unless the P4 residue of the pro-sequence was mutated from A to F.

The kinetics of fusion protein pR58-G_(B) cleavage are shown in Table 2: mutation D32A (S189) D32V (S196) D32S (S190) Rate (hr⁻¹) 0.18 0.3 1.4 Reaction in 0.1M KPi, pH 7.2, 23 C.

EXAMPLE 4

Particularly advantageous are processing proteases whose activity is triggered on demand. Ions which have been useful as triggers are OH— (pH), Cl— and F—. The tables summarize cleavage rates of various D32 mutants as a function of specific anion. Rates vs. pH. for S189 and S190 pH 5.7 7.2 8.8 10.0 S189 hr⁻¹ 0.135 0.18 0.97 4 S190 hr⁻¹ 0.18 1 5 25 Reaction in 0.1M KPi,, 23 C.

Rates vs. [Cl]. For S189 [Cl] 0 M 0.5 M S189 hr⁻¹ 0.97 5 Reaction in 0.1M KPi, pH 8.8, 23 C.

Rates vs. [F]. For S189 [F] 0 mM 1 mM 10 mM 100 mM S189 min⁻¹ 0.003 0.018 0.14 0.8 Reaction in 0.1M KPi, pH 7.2, 23 C.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rate of activation is proportional to the concentration of the ions. Thus, S189 can be trigger to increase cleavage rates if desired and this can be very advantageous when required in a purification process. Once the fusion protein is bonded to the subtilisin variant to form a binding complex, the target protein can be cleaved from the prodomain protein by activation of the subtilisin variant with the introduction of an activating ion solution.

EXAMPLE 5

Truncation of the Prodomain

The prodomain of subtilisin can be replaced with a much shorter cognate sequence which has been selected for optimized binding with the processing protease. The amino acids comprising variations of only the C-terminal part of the prodomain (E E D K L (F/Y) Q S (M/L/Y) can be used as a cognate sequence. For example, it has been shown that the IgG binding domain of Streptoccoccal Protein G, which has no natural affinity to subtilisin, binds to S194 with a sub-micromolar dissociation constant once a nine amino acid C-terminal tail has been added.

EXAMPLE 6

Immobilization of Processing Subtilisins for Affinity Purification and Processing.

The binding and catalytic properties of processing subtilisin allows them to be used as both the affinity matrix and processing protease for purification of proteins tagged with the pR58 sequence. To demonstrate this point, S189 was immobilized on a chromatography resin.

An E. coli cell lysate containing pR58-G_(B) was passed over the matrix containing immobilized S189. The fusion protein bound rapidly to the S189 matrix while the impurities were washed through the matrix as shown in FIG. 5. Cleavage of the bound fusion protein then was then effected either by addition of a triggering anion (e.g. 10 mM KF) or by extended incubation (e.g. 18 hours at pH 7.2) as shown in FIG. 6. After cleavage the pure, processed protein was washed off the matrix while the cognate prodomain remains tightly bound to subtilisin on the matrix. Multiple rounds of purification can be affected by stripping the pR58 from the S189 column at pH 2.1 and re-equilibrating the column at neutral pH. High stable and facile-folding mutants such as those listed in the Table 1 (FIG. 3) of Processing Subtilisin are required for column recycling.

Eight different fusion proteins comprising pR58 and target proteins were purified and recovered in good yield by complexing the fusion protein with subtilisin S189 or S190, including: Streptococcal protein G_(B) domain 56 aa Streptococcal protein G_(a) domain 45 aa Protein G_(B) mutant G311 56 aa Staphylococcal Protein A_(B) domain 56 aa Protein A_(B) mutant A219 56 aa E. coli hypothetical Yab 117 aa Bovine a-subunit of transducin 350 aa M. thermautotrophicus CDC6 379 aa

As shown in FIG. 7, the fusion protein comprising pR58 (pR8FRAM) linked to Streptococcal protein G_(B) domain was complexed and separated on both S189 and S190 immobilized beds. Lanes 3 and 4 show that multiple components of different molecular weights are washed through the system. After a sufficient incubation period, the fraction of output is limited to protein G, evidenced by the molecular weight fraction shown in lanes 5, 6, 7 and 8 relative to the molecular weight of protein G identified in lane 10.

The results of the purification of {overscore (β)} subunit bovine transducin (350aa) are shown in FIG. 8. As evidence by the elution shown in lanes 4-9, the target protein is eluted from the column after sufficient time for the cleaving the bond between the prodomain protein and the target protein by the activity of the subtilisin S189.

The results of purification of CDC6 (379 aa) are shown in FIG. 9. The fusion protein comprising pR58 (pR8FRAM) linked to M. thermautotrophicus CDC6 was complexed and separated on S189 immobilized beds. Lane 2 shows that multiple components of different molecular weights are washed through the system in the early period of separation. After a sufficient incubation period, the fraction of output is limited to CDC6, as evidenced by the molecular weight fraction shown in lanes 4-8.

FIGS. 10A and B show the ¹⁵N HSQC spectra of (a) protein G311 and (b) protein A219 that were purified on a S189AL_(—)10 column and recovered therefrom. The two proteins are 59% identical in sequence but represent different protein folds.

EXAMPLE 7

Further purification experiments were conducted on the 56 amino acid Streptococcal protein G_(B) domain linked to pR58 (pR8FRAM) wherein the 671 fusion protein (pR58FKAM-G_(B)) was purified and separated on S189 HiTrap NHS column by continuous injection of 0.1M KF to demonstrate the effectiveness of the release of a target protein when mutant subtilisin was triggered by fluoride ions. FIG. 11 shows the results when the fusion protein is bound and washed as in the normal procedure. FIG. 12 show that the addition of 100 mM potassium fluoride injected at 0. 1 ml/min causes the rapid cleavage as the fluoride ions come in contact with the bound fusion protein to release of the target protein so that it is concentrated as it is washed off the column. FIG. 13 shows that the stripping of the prodomain (pR58) from the column in 0.1 M H₃PO₄ as in the normal procedure. These results show that the release of the target protein can be adjusted by the use of certain ions as triggers (OH— (pH), Cl— and F) to initiate the protease activity of the mutant subtilisins.

FIG. 14 shows the separation of the fusion protein comprising pR58 (pR8FRAM) linked to Streptococcal protein G_(B) domain on an S189 immobilized beds. Lane 1 is the molecular weight standards. Lanes 2 and 4 show that multiple components of different molecular weights as washed through the system. After the addition of 0.1M KF the fraction of output is limited to protein G_(B), evidenced by the molecular weight fraction shown in lanes 5 and 6.

REFERENCES

All reference cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

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1. A nucleic acid construct encoding a fusion protein, wherein the construct comprises a coding sequence for a protein of interest that is operatively linked to coding sequence for a prodomain protein, wherein the prodomain protein has an increased affinity for corresponding protease or variants thereof.
 2. The nucleic acid construct according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding protease is subtilisin or a variant thereof.
 3. The nucleic acid construct according to claim 2, wherein the prodomain protein further comprises amino acid sequences that increase binding affinity for subtilisin or variants thereof.
 4. The nucleic acid construct according to claim 1, wherein the prodomain protein comprises a replacement sequence for the P1-P4 amino acid sequence comprising substitutions of amino acid residues F or Y for P4, any amino acid residue for P3, A or S for P2 and M, F, YH, or L for P1.
 5. The nucleic acid construct according to claim 2, wherein the prodomain protein is a prodomain of subtilisin.
 6. The nucleic acid construct according to claim 5, wherein the prodomain protein comprises substitutions of amino acid residues F or Y for P4, any amino acid residue for P3, A or S for P2 and M, F, Y H, or L for PI at the C-terminal end.
 7. A fusion protein comprising a target protein operatively linked to a prodomain protein, wherein the prodomain protein is modified to exhibit an increased affinity for subtilisin or variants thereof
 8. The fusion protein according to claim 7, wherein the prodomain protein is a subtilisin prodomain protein.
 9. The fusion protein according to claim 8, wherein the subtilisin prodomain protein comprises an amino acid sequence of FKAM replacing P1 through P4 amino acids.
 10. The fusion protein according to claim 7, wherein the prodomain protein comprises variations of amino acid residues E E D K L (F/Y) Q S (M/L/Y) to be used as a cognate sequence.
 11. The fusion protein according to claim 7, wherein the target protein is staphylococcal Protein AB domain; Protein AB mutant A219; Streptococcal protein GB domain; Streptococcal protein Ga domain; Protein GB mutant G311; E. coli hypothetical Yab; Bovine a-subunit of transducin ; M. thermautotrophicus CDC6; streptavidin ; avidin; Taq polymerase; alkaline phosphatase; RNase; DNase; restriction enzymes; peroxidases; endo-1,4-beta glucanase; endo-1,3-beta-glucanase; chitinases; beta and alfa glucosidases; beta and alpha glucoronidases; amylase; glucosyl-transferases; phospho-transferases ; chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase; beta-lactamase ; luciferase; esterases; lipases; proteases; bacteriocines; antibiotics; enzyme inhibitors; growth factors; hormones ; receptors; membranal proteins; nuclear proteins; transcriptional factors; translational factors or nucleic acid modifying enzymes.
 12. A DNA construct for the preparation of a fusion protein, wherein the construct comprises a coding sequence of a protein of interest that is operatively linked to DNA sequences encoding for a subtilisin binding protein having an increased binding affinity for subtilisin.
 13. A method for the production of a subtilisin binding fusion protein, the method comprising: providing a nucleic acid construct encoding a fusion protein wherein the fusion protein comprises a prodomain protein and a second protein of interest, wherein the prodomain protein is modified to bind subtilisin or variants thereof with high affinity; transfecting a host cell with the nucleic acid construct; and culturing the transformed host cell under conditions suitable for expression of the fusion protein.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the prodomain protein is the prodomain of subtilisin.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the prodomain protein is modified by replacing the P4 through P₁ amino acids with amino acid sequences FKAM, FKAY or FKAF
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the second protein of interest is staphylococcal Protein AB domain; Protein AB mutant A219; Streptococcal protein GB domain; Streptococcal protein Ga domain; Protein GB mutant G311; E. coli hypothetical Yab; Bovine a-subunit of transducin; M. thermautotrophicus CDC6; streptavidin; avidin; Taq polymerase ; alkaline phosphatase; RNase; DNase; restriction enzymes; peroxidases; endo-1,4-beta glucanase; endo-1,3-beta-glucanase; chitinases ; beta and alfa glucosidases; beta and alpha glucoronidases; amylase ; glucosyl-transferases; phospho-transferases; chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase ; beta-lactamase; luciferase ; esterases; lipases; proteases; bacteriocines; antibiotics ; enzyme inhibitors; growth factors; hormones ; receptors; membranal proteins; nuclear proteins; transcriptional factors; translational factors or nucleic acid modifying enzymes.
 17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the host cells includes cells from, Escherichia coli, Bacillus, Salmonella, Pseudomonas ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, Kluveromyces, Candida, Schizosaccharomyces; or CHO cells.
 18. A method for purifying a protein of interest from a fusion protein and separation therefrom, the method comprising: contacting a fusion protein comprising a prodomain protein linked to the protein of interest with an effective amount of subtilisin or a variant thereof under conditions suitable for the formation of a binding complex between the subtilisin or variant thereof and the prodomain protein of the fusion protein; incubating the binding complex for a sufficient time for the subtilisin or variant thereof to cleave the protein of interest from the binding complex; and recovering the protein of interest.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the subtilisin has been modified to specifically bind to the protease prodomain fusion protein.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the subtilisin includes mutations Q2K, S3C, P5S, K43N, A73L, 75-83, E156S, G166S, G169A, S188P, Q206C, N212G, K217L, N218S, T254A, Q271E, Y104A, G128S and at least one additional mutation at amino acid positions 32,155 or
 221. 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the prodomain protein is a subtilisin prodomain and modified by replacing the P4 through PI amino acids with amino acid sequences FKAM, FKAY or FKAF
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the protein of interest is staphylococcal Protein AB domain; Protein AB mutant A219; Streptococcal protein GB domain; Streptococcal protein Ga domain; Protein GB mutant G311; E. coli hypothetical Yab; Bovine a-subunit of transducin; M. thermautotrophicus CDC6; streptavidin; avidin; Taq polymerase; alkaline phosphatase; RNase; DNase; restriction enzymes; peroxidases; endo-1,4-beta glucanase; endo-1,3-beta-glucanase; chitinases ;, beta and alfa glucosidases; beta and alpha glucoronidases; amylase; glucosyl-transferases; phospho-transferases; chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase ; beta-lactamase; luciferase; esterases; lipases; proteases; bacteriocines; antibiotics; enzyme inhibitors; growth factors; hormones; receptors; membranal proteins; nuclear proteins; transcriptional factors; translational factors or nucleic acid modifying enzymes.
 23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the subtilisin is immobilized on a solid phase matrix.
 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the prodomain of subtilisin is mutated to increase binding affinity of subtilisin to greater than 109 M-1.
 25. The method according to claim 19, wherein the subtilisin includes mutations Q2K, S3C, P5S, K43N, A73L, 75-83, E156S, G169A, S188P, Q206C, N212G, K217L, N218S, T254A, Q271E, Y104A, G128S and at least one additional mutation at amino acid positions 32, or
 221. 26. The method according to claim 20, wherein the subtilisin is S189, S190, S194, S196, S197, or S198.
 27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the subtilisin is S199, S201 or S202.
 28. An assay method for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in a test sample comprising: (a) incubating a test sample, which may contain a substance of interest, with a sufficient amount of a protease prodomain fusion protein, wherein the protease prodomain fusion protein comprises: (i) a protease prodomain capable of binding with high affinity to a subtilisin or variant thereof, and (ii) a second protein capable of binding the substance of interest, under incubating conditions that allow for the binding of the substance of interest to the second protein; (b) contacting the protease prodomain fusion protein used in step (a) to subtilisin or a variant thereof, wherein the subtilisin or a variant thereof is in solution in an amount effective to bind the fusion protein or immobilized on a solid phase to form a subtilisin/prodomain fusion protein binding complex; (c) incubating the subtilisin/prodomain fusion protein binding complex for a sufficient time for the subtilisin or variant thereof to cleave the second protein from the binding complex; (d) recovering the second protein bound to the substance of interest.
 29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising introducing a detectable label capable of binding to the substance of interest; and determining the presence or absence of the label, to provide an indication of the presence or absence of the substance of interest in the test sample.
 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the detectable label is introduced before separation of the second protein from the binding complex or after the second protein is recovered.
 31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the test sample is blood, urine, semen, saliva, mucus, tears, or vaginal secretions.
 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the substance of interest is an antibody.
 33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the second protein is an antigenic receptor having affinity for the antibody.
 34. The method according to claim 31, wherein the substance of interest is an antigen.
 35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the second protein is an antibody having affinity for the antibody.
 36. The method according to claim 28, wherein the subtilisin has been modified to specifically bind to the protease prodomain fusion protein.
 37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the subtilisin includes mutations Q2K, S3C, P5S, K43N, A73L, 75-83, E156S, G166S, G169A, S188P, Q206C, N212G, K217L, N218S, T254A, Q271E, Y104A, G128S and at least one additional mutation at amino acid positions 32, 155 or
 221. 38. The method according to claim 28, wherein the protease prodomain protein is a subtilisin prodomain and modified by replacing the P4 through P1 amino acids with amino acid sequences FKAM, FKAY or FKAF.
 39. A drug delivery system comprising a subtilisin prodomain protein associated with a drug of interest to form a fusion product, wherein the fusion product is further complexed to a subtilisin or variant thereof to form a drug delivery complex.
 40. The drug delivery system according to claim 39, wherein the drug of interest is conjugated to the subtilisin prodomain protein either directly or through a linker moiety.
 41. The drug delivery system according to claim 39, wherein the drug of interest is slowly released from the drug delivery complex.
 42. The drug delivery system according to claim 41, wherein the drug delivery product is included in a composition and administered parenterally, orally, topically or by inhalation.
 43. The drug delivery system according to claim 41, wherein the composition comprises a solid, gel, liquid or aerosol.
 44. The drug delivery system according to claim 41, wherein the subtilisin includes mutations Q2K, S3C, P5S, K43N, A73L, 75-83, E156S, G166S, G169A, S188P, Q206C, N212G, K217L, N218S, T254A, Q271E, Y104A, G128S and at least one additional mutation at amino acid positions 32, 155 or
 221. 45. The drug delivery system according to claim 41, wherein the subtilisin prodomain protein is modified by replacing the P4 through PI amino acid residues with amino acid sequences FKAM, FKAY or FKAF.
 46. A nucleic acid construct encoding a fusion protein, wherein the construct comprises a coding sequence for a protein of interest that is operatively linked to coding sequence for a protein, wherein the protein generates affinity for a corresponding protease or variants thereof.
 47. A nucleic acid construct according to claim 46, wherein the corresponding protease hydrolyzes a peptide bond joining the protein to the protein of interest.
 48. A nucleic acid construct according to claim 46, wherein P1, P2 and P4 amino acids of the protein generate affinity for S1, S2 and S4 binding pockets of the corresponding protease or variants thereof.
 49. A nucleic acid construct according to claim 48, wherein the protein comprises substitutions of amino acid residues F or Y for P4, any amino acid residue for P3, A, S, V or T for P2 and M, F, Y, H, or L for P1.
 50. A protease variant that is altered to specifically hydrolyze a fusion protein upon addition of a chemical trigger and the fusion protein comprises a binding sequence for a corresponding protease fused to a protein of interest.
 51. A protease variant according to claim 50, wherein the altered protease is a subtilisin variant.
 52. A protease variant according to claim 51, wherein the subtilisin variant comprises a mutation at amino acid
 32. 53. A method of producing a protein of interest, comprising generating a fusion protein comprising a binding sequence for a corresponding protease fused to a protein of interest, and reacting said fusion protein with a protease variant that is altered to specifically hydrolyze the fusion protein and yield said protein of interest upon addition of a chemical trigger, wherein the reaction is conducted in the presence of said chemical trigger, and recovering said protein of interest.
 54. A nucleic acid construct encoding a fusion protein, wherein the construct comprises a coding sequence for a protein of interest that is operatively linked to coding sequence for a peptide, wherein the peptide generates affinity for a corresponding protease or variants thereof.
 55. A nucleic acid construct according to claim 54, wherein the corresponding protease hydrolyzes a peptide bond joining the peptide to the protein of interest.
 56. A nucleic acid construct according to claim 54, wherein P1, P2 and P4 amino acids of the peptide generate affinity for S1, S2 and S4 binding pockets of the corresponding protease or variants thereof.
 57. A nucleic acid construct according to claim 56, wherein the peptide comprises substitutions of amino acid residues F or Y for P4, any amino acid residue for P3, A, S, V or T for P2 and M, F, Y, H, or L for P1.
 58. A method for the production of a subtilisin binding fusion protein, the method comprising: providing a nucleic acid construct encoding a fusion protein wherein the fusion protein comprises a peptide and a second protein of interest, wherein the peptide is modified to bind subtilisin or variants thereof with high affinity; transfecting a host cell with the nucleic acid construct; and culturing the transformed host cell under conditions suitable for expression of the fusion protein.
 59. A method for purifying a protein of interest from a fusion protein and separation therefrom, the method comprising: contacting a fusion protein comprising a peptide linked to the protein of interest with an effective amount of subtilisin or a variant thereof under conditions suitable for the formation of a binding complex between the subtilisin or variant thereof and the peptide of the fusion protein; incubating the binding complex for a sufficient time for the subtilisin or variant thereof to cleave the protein of interest from the binding complex; and recovering the protein of interest.
 60. An assay method for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in a test sample comprising: (a) incubating a test sample, which may contain a substance of interest, with a sufficient amount of a fusion protein comprising: (i) a peptide capable of binding with high affinity to a subtilisin or variant thereof, and (ii) a second protein capable of binding the substance of interest, under incubating conditions that allow for the binding of the substance of interest to the second protein; (b) contacting the fusion protein used in step (a) to subtilisin or a variant thereof, wherein the subtilisin or a variant thereof is in solution in an amount effective to bind the fusion protein or immobilized on a solid phase to form a subtilisin/fusion protein binding complex; (c) incubating the subtilisin/fusion protein binding complex for a sufficient time for the subtilisin or variant thereof to cleave the second protein from the binding complex; (d) recovering the second protein bound to the substance of interest.
 61. A drug delivery system comprising a peptide generating affinity for a subtilisin or a variant thereof associated with a drug of interest to form a fusion product, wherein the fusion product is further complexed to said subtilisin or variant thereof to form a drug delivery complex. 